Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin
The Minority in Parliament has decided not to appear before the ad-hoc committee investigating the recent chaos that erupted in Parliament during the vetting of some ministerial nominees until the Speaker of Parliament addresses issues of bias raised against the chairman of the committee, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah.
In a memo addressed to the committee on Monday, February 10, 2025, the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, stated that until the initial concerns he raised are addressed, the Minority Caucus will not attend the sittings.
“The Minority Caucus considers it prudent to await the Speaker’s response before taking any steps in relation to the Committee’s work,” parts of statement noted.
During the vetting of Minister of Health-designate, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh; and Minister of Foreign Affairs-designate, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; the Minority Caucus accused the Majority Caucus of violating an agreement to vet only four nominees for the day, leading to heated exchanges.
Tensions quickly escalated into physical confrontations, resulting in the destruction of microphones and furniture, as well as the overturning of a vetting table.
In response to the chaos, Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, suspended four Members of Parliament for two weeks.
The suspended MPs were Frank Annoh-Dompreh (NPP, Nsawam-Adoagyiri), Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor (NDC, South Dayi), Alhassan Tampuli (NPP, Gushegu), and Jerry Ahmed Shaib (NPP, Weija-Gbawe).
However, after a plea by the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, seconded by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, the Speaker lifted the suspension on the four MPs.
A seven-member parliamentary committee, chaired by Ho West MP, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, commenced public hearings on February 5, 2025, at Parliament, to investigate the misconduct of the MPs during the vetting session conducted by the Appointments Committee.
The committee is expected to bring transparency to the events that unfolded during the vetting process.
However, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has accused the Chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Emmanuel Bedzrah, of exhibiting bias.
The Effutu MP is demanding that the Ho West MP recuse himself from the ongoing probe, alleging that Bedzrah made public statements that undermined the committee’s neutrality.
In a memorandum addressed to Speaker Alban Bagbin, on February 7, 2025, Afenyo-Markin alleged a breach of impartiality and confidentiality, which he claims has compromised the integrity of the committee’s work.
Notably, Emmanuel Bedzrah reportedly accused the Minority Leader of instructing his colleagues not to participate in the probe and claimed that an NPP MP withdrew from the proceedings on Afenyo-Markin’s directive.
Afenyo-Markin, however argued that these comments violated the Speaker’s directive to avoid public debate on the committee’s work.
Read the Minority’s petition to the Speaker below:
JKB/AE
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